DeElbert C. Coon was born in Berlin, N. Y., October 28, 1847, and died at his home in Nortonville, Kan., May 14, 1929, in his eighty-second year. He was a son of Asa Stillman Coon and Eliza Green.
When DeElbert was about five years old the family moved to Adams Center, N. Y., where he grew up. Mr. Coon again moved in 1865, this time to Farina, Ill. It was here, on September 27, 1873, that he was married to DeEtte Stillman, his life-long companion, who survives him. In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. Coon moved to Nortonville, where they have since lived and where their family was reared. There were four sons, the last three of whom are living, Floyd and Charles in Nortonville, Edgar in Topeka, LeRoy died in infancy. In addition to his widow and three sons, Mr. Coon is survived by one sister, Mrs. Helen Whitford, and two brothers, Ray Coon and Clifford Coon, both of Farina, Ill.; and two grandchildren: Loren and Esther Coon, son and daughter of Floyd of Nortonville.
Mr. Coon was a Christian man from his youth, joining the Seventh Day Baptist Church at Farina, Ill., when a young man. Soon after coming to Nortonville, he joined with his wife, the church there of the same faith. He was known as a faithful attendant at the services of worship, and even during his land enfeebled years he went regularly to the church on the Sabbath until his land illness confined him to his bed. Mr. Coon was upright in his dealings and kindly and neighborly in his contacts with others. During his last years he was observed to be especially tender hearted.
Upon first coming to Nortonville, Mr. Coon was for some years a farmer. Later he was a photographer for a number of years, and finally served as janitor of the public school until his retirement, about four years and a half ago.
At the time of his retirement from active work, Mr. Coon was stricken with paralysis, from which he recovered somewhat, so that he could be about most of the time, but was never able to return to work. About nine weeks ago he was again stricken with what appeared to be a partial paralysis, and he gradually failed and became completely helpless a week before his death. His passing about midnight, May 14, was quiet and apparently free from suffering, and he was unconscious for several hours before he finally entered into rest as one would fall asleep.
Mr. Coon, as one of the early residents of Nortonville and a useful and respected citizen, will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends. Funeral services were held from the Seventh Day Baptist church, Nortonville, Kan., May 17, 1929, the pastor officiating. Interment was in the Nortonville cemetery.
S. D. O.
